April 1, 2005

Margaret Woodbridge Artinian

Margaret Woodbridge Artinian, 94, a 35-year resident of Palm Beach, Fla. and Boone, N.C., died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005.

She was born Jan. 1, 1911, in Swampscott, Mass. “Teddy”  grew up near Tarpon Springs, where she rowed a boat to get to grade school. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Wheaton College, Norton, Mass., she received her M.A. from Columbia University, New York City, where she met her husband of 68 years, Dr. Artine Artinian of Palm Beach, Professor Emeritus of Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y.

She was a descendant of the Willard and Woodbridge families of Maine, Mass. and Connecticut. The Willards established the town of Gloucester, Mass.; and Frances Willard, an early suffragette, founded the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. The Woodbridges were among the first presidents and professors at Harvard University, and provided an early governor to Hawaii.

Besides her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Margaret Woodbridge Laske and Ellen Garland Strickland, both of Pittsburgh; and a son, Robert Williard Artinian of Lake Worth.

There will be no memorial service.

Arrangements were handled by the Neptune Society, Oakland Park.

Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 789, West Palm Beach, Fla. 33402.

William Fredrick "Ledford" Cook

Mr. William Fredrick "Ledford" Cook, 80, of Boonville, N.C., died Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

He was born in Watauga County on July 22, 1924 to Linza and Vertie Carlton Cook. 

Mr. Cook was a member of Boonville Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and was a member of Ashler Masonic Lodge # 373. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II in the South Pacific. Mr. Cook was the owner and operator of Boonville Auto Sales.

Survivors include a son, Wayne Cook and his wife, Carolyn, of Boonville; a daughter, Teresa Taylor and her husband Kenny, of Boonville; four grandchildren, Melissa Lakey, Alison Ball, Bart Taylor, and Mary-Katherine Taylor; three great-grandchildren, Broze and Adan Lakey, and Alexis Ball; a brother, Mike Cook and his wife, Bonnie, of North Wilkesboro; a sister, Ann Pierce and her husband, Ben, of Indian Trails, N.C.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Critcher Cook; and a sister, Becky Nichols.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon, April 2, at 2 p.m.  at Boonville Baptist Church with the Rev. Ken Boaz and the Rev. Homer Greene officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites conducted by Yadkin V.F.W. Post #10346. The family will receive friends immediately following the funeral service until 5 p.m. at Boonville Baptist Church.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Boonville Baptist Church Fellowship Hall Renovation Fund, Boonville Baptist Church, P.O. Box 429, Boonville, N.C. 27011.

Huff Funeral Home in East Bend, N.C. is serving the Cook family.

Carrie Roberta  Whittington Hagler

Ms. Carrie Roberta Whittington Hagler, 67, of Junaluska Road, Boone, died Wednesday afternoon at the Watauga Medical Center.

“Jo”, as she was so affectionately known, was born July 11, 1937 in Vilas, N.C., the baby daughter of George Harve and Bertha Mae Horton Whittington.

Ms. Hagler was a faithful member of the Boone Mennonite Brethren Church, where she served as a member of the Woman’s Missionary Circle. She retired with 26 years service to IRC in Boone.

Survivors include her long time companion, David Horton of Boone; two daughters, Theresa Horton and husband, Greg, and Jennifer Horton; and two sons, Barry Horton and wife, Ingrid, and John Aaron Whittington, all of Boone; two sisters, Lucy McConnihead of Wilkesboro and Sadie Pettiford and husband, Christmas, of Boone; one brother, Thomas Whittington of Boston, Mass.; her sister-in-law, Dorethea Whittington of Omaha, Neb.; and eight grandchildren, Jeremy, Ashley, LaShae, Hordon, Dray, LaShod, McKinsey and Austin; and one great-granddaughter, Aiszah; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, John Henry, Frank and Otis Whittington; and five sisters, Rosilee Jackson, Magnolia Grimes, Lizzie Horton, Ruby Fox and Kathleen Coles.

Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Mennonite Brethren Church, officiated by the Rev. Eric Lipford, the Rev. Morris Hatton, Dr. Venny Pearson, the Rev. Fred Howell, the Rev. Terry Hunt and the Rev. James Wilfong. The body will lie in state at the church from 1-2 p.m. Burial will follow at the Clarissa Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6-7 p.m. at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Hagler family.

Calonia Palmer Hampton

Mrs. Calonia Palmer Hampton, 89, of 2003 Hampton Street, Boone, wife of the late Cecil J. Hampton, died Thursday morning, March 31, 2005, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born Sept. 17, 1915, in Beech Mountain, Avery County, to the late Roy Hill and Sophronia Isabell Walsh Palmer.

Mrs. Hampton was a retired buyer for Belk Department Store and a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Gloria Jean Minko and husband, John, of Martinsburg, West Virginia and Mary Helen Hampton and husband, Bill, of Deep Gap; five grandchildren, Joseph Cecil Minko of Baltimore, Md., Mitchell Hampton and wife, Carrie, of Mountain City, Tenn., Billana Berry and husband, Doug, Cliff Hampton and wife, Maggie, and Chance Hampton, all of Deep Gap; three sisters, Euna Miller and husband, Sanford, of Albemarle, Mrs. Reba Miller of Boone and Mrs. Nell Smith of Lenoir; one brother, Burl Palmer and wife, Catherine, of Lenoir. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. Helen Horton; and a brother, Clarence Palmer.

Services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 1-2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Allan Blume and the Rev. Bud Russell. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6-7:30 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Service.

The family has respectfully requested no food. Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 3505 Bamboo Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Donald Arthur McCaulley, Sr.

Mr. Donald Arthur McCaulley, Sr., 77, of Queen Street, Boone, died Wednesday evening, March 30, 2005 at his home.

He was a resident of Boone for 35 years. He was born Dec.15, 1927, in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, a son of Arthur Hughes and Susie Roberts McCaulley.

Mr. McCaulley was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp and served during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3382 in Kingsport and of the American Veterans of West Virginia. He was an independent contractor, installing telephone and cable service.

Survivors include his wife, Clara Boe Teague McCaulley; two sons, Donny McCaulley, Jr. of the home and Tim McCaulley of Charleston, West Virginia; two daughters, Marilyn Sue Daniels of Charleston, West Virginia and Donna Lynn Miller of California; three grandchildren; and one sister, Mary Ann VanCliff of Pompano Beach, Fla.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, James F. McCaulley.

Services will be conducted Saturday morning at 11 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends Saturday morning from 10-11 a.m., one hour prior to services, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

The family respectfully requests no food. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Watauga County Humane Society, 200 Casey Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the McCaulley family.

Ada Greer Moore

Mrs. Ada Olive Greer Moore, 81, of 400 Dewitt Barnett Road, Vilas, died Tuesday evening, March 29, 2005, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

She was born April 23, 1923, in Vilas, Watauga County, to the late Hosea Eller Greer and Vonnie Belle Cannon Greer.

Mrs. Moore was a retired cook from Watauga Medical Center cafeteria and a member and former Sunday school teacher at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Ivey Robert Moore; three sons, Robert Moore, Jr. and wife, Mildred, Raymond Moore and wife, Jan, and Floyd Moore and wife, Sue, all of Vilas; three daughters, Dora Lee Story and husband, Harvey, of Lenoir; Ruth McCloud and husband, Boyd, of Elk Park and Marie Bumgarner and husband, Bill, of Vilas; one sister, Mary Jo Earp and husband, Raymond, of Elizabethton, Tenn. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her father and mother, she was preceded in death by her stepmother, Mary Baird Greer; her foster parents, John and Thelma Earp; and two brothers, Ollis Greer and Hardy Greer.

Services will be conducted Saturday morning at 11 o’clock at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 10-11 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Wynn Greer and the Rev. Carl Wilson. Burial will follow in the Danner Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times, friends may call at the Moore residence in Vilas.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Danner Cemetery Fund, in care of David Hughes, 1075 Laurel Fork Road, Vilas, N.C. 28692.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Audrey Hartley West

Mrs. Audrey Hartley West, 75, of Newnan, Ga., died March 28, 2005, with her immediate family in attendance.

A native of Blowing Rock, N.C., Mrs. West was  born June 24, 1929, to the late Corneilus Talmadge Hartley and Elsie Josephine Johnson Hartley. One of six children, she was deeply dedicated to her family. She lived devoted to her faith, her family, and her music.

Mrs. West attended Gardner West College on a full music scholarship and especially loved teaching music to kindergarten classes. She treasured her years of faithful service in the choir and to the youth of Central Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband of 54 years, James L. West; her children and their families including nine grandchildren; Dinah West Carter and her children, Laura Carter, Rachel Carter and David Carter; Cynthia West Hendley, her husband, John, and their children, Trey, Mary Anna, Katie and James; Mark West and his children, Caitlin and Brianna West; her brother, Corneilus Talmadge Hartley, Jr. and his wife, Jeannie, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Central Baptist Church in Newnan, Ga. A family service will be held in North Carolina at the family cemetery at Flat Top Mountain.

The family respectfully asks that flowers not be sent and memorial contributions be made to Central Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1221, Newnan, Ga. 30264.

McKoon Funeral Home in Newnan, Ga., is in charge of the arrangements.

March 30, 2005

Linney Emogene Setzer Adams

Mrs. Linney Emogene Setzer Adams, 91, of Greenheights Drive, Boone, died Sunday evening, March 28, 2005, at the Ashe Living Center in Jefferson.

She was born May 6, 1913, in Collettsville, Caldwell County, a daughter of William Esther and Mary Emma Greene Setzer.

Mrs. Adams was a graduate of Appalachian State Teachers College, and taught in Watauga, Wilkes and Caldwell County elementary schools for many years. She was a member and Sunday school teacher at the First Presbyterian Church in Boone.

Survivors include three sisters-in-law, Daisy Adams and Janice Adams, both of Boone, and Faye Adams of Ft. Payne, Ala. Three generations of nieces and nephews numbering about one hundred also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Smith Adams in August 1998; three sisters, Louise Klutz, Gladys Hicks and Jettie Setzer; and two brothers, Dollan Earl and Alfred Green Setzer.

Services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 oÕclock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Dr. Ron Bowie. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to the First Presbyterian Church, 663 Howard Street, Boone, N.C. 28607.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Adams family.

Elizabeth R. Leggett

Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Reining Leggett, 81, of 1233 Goforth Road, Blowing Rock, wife of the late Ernest H. Leggett, died Friday, March 25, 2005, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

She was born Dec. 3, 1923, in Ohio, to the late George Glenn and Harriett Suttle Reining.

Mrs. Leggett became a resident of Blowing Rock in 1974. She was a world traveler for 51 years, a fashion expert, a free lance writer and a columnist for The Blowing Rocket. She continued her pursuit of the womenÕs fashion world by working with Tapps, a locally owned department store in Columbia, S.C. She began writing her ÒOn Second ThoughtÓ column in 2001, after retirement from the part time workplace.

Affectionately known as Libby, she was an ardent golfer and loved to cook exotic dishes for her friends. She was a frequent volunteer for Blowing Rock Hospital where she assisted the Pink Ladies in the Extended Care wing and became a favorite with the fulltime staff.

Survivors include two sons, Stephen D. Leggett and wife, Candace Jarrett Leggett, of Sumter, S.C. and John G. Hilliard Leggett and wife, Cynthia Correll Leggett, of Mooresville; two daughters, Elizabeth ÒLissaÓ Leggett of Spartanburg, S.C. and Katherine ÒKamÓ Leggett of Charleston, S.C.; six grandchildren, John Leggett, Jr. and wife, Leah; Kristi Mullen and husband, Charlie; Heath Leggett, Katie Sossamon, Lou Sossamon, III and Ashley Leggett; and five great-grandchildren, Karrington Leggett, Adriana Mullen, Adalynn Mullen, Justin Leggett and Sidney Leggett.

A private memorial service was held Sunday, March 27.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 5315 Greenbrook Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28205 or to Blowing Rock Hospital, P.O. Box 148, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

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March 28, 2005

John Reed Bentley Sr.

John Reed Bentley, Sr., 71, of Hickory, N.C., died Sunday morning, March 27, 2005, in Hickory.

He was born June 10, 1933 in Watauga County, a son of Dewey Roby and Ollie Mae Bentley.

Mr. Bentley was employed in the furniture industry and in security.

Svrvivors include his wife, Connie Powell Bentley; two sons, Dewey Douglas Bentley and his wife, Pam, of Claremont and John Reed Bentley, Jr. and his wife, Renee, of Hickory; one daughter, Kimmie Hull and husband, Jerry, of Maiden; five brothers, Robert Bentley and wife, Geneva, Sam Bentley and wife, Betty, and Ned Bentley and wife, Wanda, all of Boone; Lewis Bentley and wife, Addie, of Catawba County, and Bill Bentley of Burnsville; four sisters, Earlene Lail of Catawba County, Maggie Hicks and husband, Carson, of Alexander County, and Glenda Cornette and husband, R.A., and Katie Shore and husband, Joe, all of Boone. Eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survive.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Pauline Townsend and Mary Ann Bentley.

Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Bass-Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Hickory, officiated by the Rev. Scott Howard. The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon from 1-2 p.m., one hour prior to services, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory is serving the Bentley family.

Helen J. Gill

Mrs. Helen J. Gill, 84, of Boone, died at Blowing Rock Hospital’s Davant Extended Care Center in Blowing Rock, N.C., March 25, 2005, following a short illness.

She was born July 22, 1920, in Grotan, N.Y., to Lawrence and Dorothy Case Jackson.

Mrs. Gill moved to Boone in 1963 from Syracuse, N.Y., with her husband, Edgar, a chemical engineer at IRC/TRW, and she loved living in Boone, despite the many changes through the years. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Boone and was involved in various committees and served as a Sunday School teacher for over two decades. She was a member of Shekinah, a local worship group and the Friday Club for seniors.

Mrs. Gill was the recipient of a state recognition award from Governor James Hunt for her years of volunteer services. She volunteered for Meals-on-Wheels and at the Watauga Medical Center for over 20 years, as well as working at polling sites for the Watauga County Board of Elections. Mrs. Gill was involved through the years in scouting, Home Demonstration and the Worthwhile Women’s Club, and worked for several years at Creative Crafts. She loved birds and had a large collection of all types of carved and ceramic birds.

Survivors and loved ones include one son, Larry, and his wife, Dee, of Midlothian, Va.; one daughter, Sali Gill-Johnson and her husband, John, of Boone; two grandchildren, Ginger Mullins and her husband, Chris, of Harrisonburg, Va., and Ian Johnson of Boone; and one great-grandson, Simon Mullins of Harrisonburg, Va. She is also survived by one brother, Bob Jackson and his wife, Irene, of Loudonville, N.Y.; one sister, Pat Karsch and her husband, Ed, of Scituate, Maine; one step-sister, Daisy Jo Weaver of Boulder, Colo., a number of nieces and nephews, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-parents, Dr. Ellis and Johanna Montfort; one brother, John Jackson; and her husband, Edgar Gill.

Helen was open and gracious with everyone, and her kind and loving friendship and genuine love of people served as an inspiration for many. Sharing in her life has provided many special moments, that will be forever remembered by her friends and family. We are better people for having been loved by Helen.

A celebration of her life will be conducted Monday morning at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Boone chapel. Officiating will be Dr. Wayne Brown, the Rev. Melanie Childers, Dr. George Miles and Nancy Sehested.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 375 West King Street, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to Shekinah Gathering in care of Laura Graham, 242 Johnson Street, Boone, N.C. or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family received friends Sunday afternoon from 4-6 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Private internment will follow.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Gill family.

Elizabeth Ann Reining Leggett

Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Reining Leggett, 81, of 1233 Goforth Road, Blowing Rock, wife of the late Ernest H. Leggett, died Friday, March 25, 2005, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

She was born Dec. 3, 1923, in Ohio, to the late George Glenn and Harriett Suttle Reining.

Mrs. Leggett became a resident of Blowing Rock in 1974. She was a world traveler for 51 years, a fashion expert, a free lance writer and a columnist for The Blowing Rocket. She continued her pursuit of the women’s fashion world by working with Tapps, a locally owned department store in Blowing Rock. She began writing her “On Second Thought” column in 2001, after retirement from the part time workplace.

Affectionately known as Libby, she was an ardent golfer and loved to cook exotic dishes for her friends. She was a frequent volunteer for Blowing Rock Hospital where she assisted the Pink Ladies in the Extended Care wing and became a favorite with the fulltime staff.

Survivors include two sons, Stephen D. Leggett and wife, Candace Jarrett Leggett, of Sumpter, S.C. and John G. Hilliard Leggett and wife, Cynthia Correll Leggett, of Mooresville; two daughters, Elizabeth “Lissa” Leggett of Spartanburg, S.C. and Katherine “Kam” Leggett of Charleston, S.C.; six grandchildren, John Leggett, Jr. and wife, Leah; Kristi Mullen and husband, Charlie; Heath Leggett, Katie Sossoman, Lou Sossoman, III and Ashley Leggett; and five great-grandchildren, Karrington Leggett, Adrian Mullen, Adalynn Mullen, Justin Leggett and Sidney Leggett.

A private memorial service was held Sunday, March 27.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 5315 Greenbrook Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28205 or to Blowing Rock Hospital, P.O. Box 148, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Paul Eugene Miller Sr.

Mr. Paul Eugene Miller, Sr., 83, of 293 Spruce Street, Boone, died Friday evening, March 25, 2005, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

He was born Jan. 21, 1922, in Brownwood, Ashe County, to the late Alonzo G. and Bessie Emoline Moretz Miller.

Mr. Miller graduated from Appalachian High School and attended Roanoke College and the University of Georgia in Athens. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving from February, 1943 until November, 1945 and attained the rank of Lt. J.G. He was a pilot and flew numerous submarine patrol flights in the Caribbean. He kept a detailed record of each flight in his Aviators Flight Log Book. After the war, he was a heavy equipment operator and also operated Miller Brothers Army-Navy Store in Boone until retirement.

He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church. Mr. Miller liked to hunt and fish but his real love was buying and selling Army surplus. He never met a stranger and spent most Sunday afternoons visiting with his many relatives and friends. He was one of the first persons to ski at Appalachian Ski Mountain, using his Army cross country skis.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Sue Greene Miller; two sons, Paul E. Miller, Jr. and wife, Linda, of Boone and Michael Ray Miller and wife, Elaine, of Knoxville, Tenn.; two daughters, Mary Catherine Brug and husband, Tommy, of Winston-Salem and Peggy Elizabeth Aspland and husband, Mark, of Cornelius; three brothers, John Q. Miller of Boone, Kent Miller of Miami, Fla. and Robert Miller of West Jefferson; four sisters, Mrs. Ann Posternack and Kathleen Wellborn and husband, Johnson, all of Deep Gap, Mary Sue Payne and husband, John, of West Jefferson, and Sara Hunt and husband, Rev. Guy Hunt, Jr., of Lebanon, Va. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Services were conducted Monday morning at 10 o’clock at Grace Lutheran Church, officiated by Pastor Tim Smith. Military graveside honors and burial followed at Gap Creek Cemetery in Deep Gap.

Memorial contributions may be made to Watauga Medical Center Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 2600, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Bartley Jim Trivette

Mr. Bartley Jim Trivette, 39, of the Old Beech Mountain community, Elk Park, died Thursday, March 24, 2005, in the Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem.

He was the son of the late Dorothy Presnell Trivette and Bartlett Gene Trivette.

Mr. Trivette worked as a rock mason.

Survivors include a sister, Barbara Trivette of Boone; two brothers, Bradley Trivette of Beech Mountain and Wade Presnell of Pineola; his grandmother, Anna Watson of Frank; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by grandparents, Jim Presnell and Elsie and Judd Trivette.

A graveside service will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Harmon Trivette Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Taylor officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to help with final expenses. Donations may be sent to Bradley Trivette, 7272 Old Beech Mtn. Rd., Elk Park, N.C. 28622. Condolences may be made by visiting www.reinssturdivantfuneralhome.com

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Trivette family.

Thomas Lucky “Cap” Ward

Mr. Thomas Lucky “Cap” Ward, 79, of Huntersville, died Saturday, March 26, 2005, at the Huntersville Oaks Nursing Home.

He was born Oct. 3, 1925 in Watauga County, a son of R.M. and Bessie Ward.

Mr. Ward was an avid golfer and loved travel, particularly to the Holy Land, where he visited six times. He served in World War II with Patton’s Army in Germany where he received a Purple Heart with oak leaf clusters for being wounded and a Bronze Star for helping save his wounded boat mates. After the war, he finished his studies at Appalachian State University before receiving his Masters Degree in Educarion from the University of Tennessee.

Mr. Ward became the principal of Brushy Fork Elementary School in Person County before transferring to Huntersville Elementary School in 1951. Mr. Ward left the school system to join Maintenance Supply Company, Inc. where he worked as a salesman for 40 years. He served as mayor of Huntersville and was a member and Sunday School Teacher at Huntersville First Baptist Church for many years where a Sunday school class was named for him in his honor.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Grace H. Ward; two sons, Tim Ward and his wife, Julie, of Statesville and Ned Ward and his wife, Vickie, of Mooresville; one daughter, Lynn Oehler and her husband, Ray, of Charlotte; seven grandchildren, Devin, Ashley, Justa, Shelbi and Luke Ward and Erin and Allston Oehler; and one sister, Marion Simpson and her husband, Jack, of Sugar Grove.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Nell Matheson and Frankie Hodges.

Services will be conducted Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock at the Huntersville First Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Doug Danner and the Rev. Spurgeon Dorton. Graveside services and burial will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 4 o’clock at the Thomas L. Ward Family Cemetery in Sugar Grove.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Huntersville First Baptist Church, 119 N. Old Statesville Road, Huntersville, N.C. 28078.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7-8:30 at the Raymer Funeral Home in Huntersville.

Raymer Funeral Home in Huntersville and Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Ward family.